The 2015 GMC Canyon vs. the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier

Not a lot of attention is paid these days towards the midsize truck market. For pickups that gives you utility, practicality, and pretty good fuel economy, they’re the perfect fit for Victoria drivers and other residents of the Island.

But the other big reason why this segment is so often overlooked is that there isn’t much competition for top spot. Like a sports league in which one team routinely dominates its opponents, the midsize truck segment has its own dynasty team: the GMC Canyon. And while it might not be the most exciting thing for automotive reviewers to report year after year, it’s a great value for B.C. drivers.

With a proven history of reliability, plenty of muscle, an attractive price, and one of the comfiest interiors you’ll come across, the 2015 GMC Canyon is in a class of its own.

Taking on Its Japanese Competition

Japan wasn’t always known for its trucks. But over the last few decades, models from Nissan and Toyota have tried to challenge the market dominance of domestic truck makers like GMC. Two of the most well-known models today are the Nissan Frontier and the Toyota Tacoma. While those brands might make a few strong commuter vehicles and sedans, they haven’t yet begun to offer either the powerful performance or outstanding value as the Canyon provides with every new edition.

See how the 2015 GMC Canyon outperforms the 2015 Toyota Tacoma and 2015 Nissan Frontier across the board.

By the Numbers: How These Midsize Trucks Stack Up

2015 GMC Canyon

2015 Toyota Tacoma

2015 Nissan Frontier

MRSP

$22,395

$24,285

$22,748

Maximum Horsepower

305 hp

236 hp

261 hp

Maximum Towing Capacity

7,000 lbs

6,400 lbs

6,500 lbs

Transmission Type

6-Speed Automatic

5-Speed Automatic

5-Speed Automatic

Minimum 4×4 Highway Fuel Economy

9.8 L/100km

11.5 L/100km

10.3 L/100km

GMC Canyon Performance & Power

4-Cylinder Engines

Truly caught between two other truck segments, the fully redesigned Canyon comes with a choice of two engines: a 2.5L inline four-cylinder and the bigger, 3.6L V6. Both the Tacoma and the Frontier each offer similar choices. But the comparisons end at cylinder count; achieving 200 horsepower and 191 lb-ft of torque, the Canyon’s 4-cylinder engine delivers over 40 more horsepower than its two Japanese rivals, also besting both in torque.

V6 Comparison

Meanwhile, at 305 horsepower, the V6 beast available in the new 2015 Canyon only serves to increase that lead, as noted above. And the best part? These higher levels of power don’t even come at a premium: the Canyon starts at a suggested retail price that’s $350 less than the Frontier, and close to $2,000 less than the Toyota Tacoma!

The Most Towing, Pound for Pound

What good is power if you can’t put it to good, productive use? Once again, the 2015 GMC Canyon shows that it stands ahead of the pack when hard work needs to be done. With its V6 engine, a properly equipped Canyon tows up to 7,000 lbs—500 more than its closest competitor!

An Easier Load for the Road

I know what you might be thinking: what difference does 500 lbs more towing capacity really mean to me? As it turns out, a lot. Even if you aren’t testing your truck to the limits, that’s a 500-lb performance cushion that makes hauling even the lighter loads that much easier on your truck’s overall capabilities.